West Sussex · London and the South East
Sidlesham Flat Roof Survey
Flat roof surveys in Sidlesham and the rest of West Sussex. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Splits and cracks in the covering
What we can’t see
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets
- GRP fibreglass
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
Flat roof survey in Sidlesham: what you get
Each flat roof is looked at from the safest viewpoints we have: on the roof where it’s safe, from windows and higher ground, and from the rooms below where we can reach them. We do not walk on fragile rooflights or fragile roof sheeting. If part of the roof cannot be seen or reached safely, the report says so, so you know exactly what was covered. Common reasons to book are failed upstands where the roof meets a wall and water getting in at rooflights, on GRP fibreglass, single-ply membranes and felt flat roofs.
In a village or hamlet like Sidlesham, flat roofs are usually on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. They need the same care as any town roof: outlets, upstands, edges and the covering itself. The journey and access are planned beforehand. Garages and outbuildings are easy to forget, so mention any you want included when booking.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent, whichever applies.
- Place
- Sidlesham (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Checking the roof from the ground
You can learn a lot from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, which helps when we check the roof.
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes about 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Cottages and farmhouses around Sidlesham often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- We look at the roof from ground level, windows and the roof where it is safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- We photograph and record the outlets, upstands, trims and rooflights.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, comes to you by email.
Before the survey
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Getting a price
Prices start from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Advice
Common roof problems in Sidlesham
A buyer’s general survey often recommends a closer look at a flat roof. Owners and managing agents use a survey to plan upkeep, or ahead of a sale or a new lease. Either way, you get a clear record of the roof, with photographs.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Splits, cracks and crazing
Take a building like Sidlesham Primary School: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
What to check before booking
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- How soon the report will arrive
- What the survey will not cover
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
Towns and villages near Sidlesham
More services for Sidlesham
Flat roof surveys around Sidlesham
Sidlesham is within about 1 mile of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
If you own a rental within reach of Chichester station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round. Take an older house close to St Mary Our Lady Sidlesham: later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands often show the first signs of wear.
Sidlesham is about 3 miles north of Selsey, in West Sussex. Bookings from Sidlesham are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Across West Sussex, we cover Sidlesham and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Portsmouth page.
Here we cover the PO20 postcode area for flat roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Rookery Lane, Selsey Road and Manhood Lane. Sidlesham is on the B2145, which makes it simple to reach. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Keynor Estate (1 mile south-west), Street End (1 mile north), Sidlesham Common (1 mile north), Fisher (2 miles north-east) and Church Norton (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (4 miles east), Chichester (4 miles north), Selsey (3 miles south), Littlehampton (11 miles east), Emsworth (8 miles north-west) and Rustington (12 miles east).
Near you in Sidlesham
The nearest railway station is Chichester station, about 3.9 miles north of the centre. Nearby you will also find St Richard's Hospital (4.7 miles north) and Chichester Castle (4.4 miles north).
Why act early in Sidlesham
A leak over an office, shop or unit can affect the people and stock underneath. A planned survey lets you budget for work rather than deal with an emergency around the business. In a small place like Sidlesham, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Sidlesham
- 98% customer satisfaction
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Take a look at our cost guide or our case studies.
Useful tips for Sidlesham property owners
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Plan a survey before the covering reaches the end of its usual life
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
- Make sure new fixings through the roof are properly sealed
Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. You might ask for work to be done before completion, or discuss the price, depending on the findings.
Get splits, lifted seams and loose trims seen to while they’re small. Prompt repairs tend to add years to a flat roof.
Common questions in Sidlesham
Do you cover smaller places like Sidlesham?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Sidlesham, take more of a battering?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it normally shows, and Sidlesham is within about 1 mile of the coast.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but we don’t provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. If one is needed, the report says so.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If the survey needs it and the loft space can be reached safely, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft can’t be reached safely, the report says so.
What will the report tell me?
Written findings with photos, covering the condition of the flat roof, the defects we found and what we recommend, with the most urgent first where relevant. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
How many years has my flat roof got left?
We do not put a figure on it. As a guide, felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM often 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30, but your report describes the actual condition.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the survey around it.